To help keep the space tidy, useful, and enjoyable for everyone, please follow these simple ground rules:
- Treat the space as you would treat your home garden. We are one community, and the preservation and smooth running of our grow beds rely on our joint effort. If in doubt, simply ask. Let’s support each other and keep each other accountable.
- Respect the space and other users. Please treat the grow beds, sheds, tools, and shared areas with care and consideration.
- Clean up after yourself. Please leave your grow bed and any shared areas tidy after each visit. Do not leave any plastic pots, soil bags, etc. by your bed (see point 6).
- Keep your designated area free of weeds. Each grow bed user is responsible for maintaining their own area (grow bed and its surrounding area) and keeping it reasonably free of weeds.
- Use the compost bins properly. The compost bins are for compostable materials only, such as suitable plant waste and organic matter. Do not put non-compostable items in the compost bins. Plastic bags, plastic containers, cardboard, packaging, plant pots, and general rubbish must not be placed in the compost bins. Take non-compostable waste home with you. There are no rubbish bins on site, so any waste that cannot be composted must be taken home and disposed of properly.
- The sheds are shared by everyone in the group. Please remember that the sheds are a communal space for all grow bed users. Try to keep them tidy. You may store personal tools or gardening materials in the shed, but please keep them stored neatly and do not take up unnecessary space. Label your belongings. Please put your name on any personal tools or materials left in the shed, as a safety measure and to avoid confusion.
- Communal tools are for everyone to use at the grow beds. Do not take communal tools home. Shared tools are available for all grow bed users and will be clearly labelled and marked. Shared tools must stay on site because they are intended for use at the grow beds. After using any shared tools, please clean them and return them to the shed so they are available for others.
- Help keep shared spaces neat and wheelchair-accessible. Please be mindful of paths, communal areas, and shared storage spaces so they remain safe and usable for everyone.
- Ask for help if you are away. If you are going on holiday or cannot tend to your bed, send a message to the WhatsApp group and ask for help with watering or anything else. Hopefully, someone in the group will be available to help.
- If you no longer want, or are unable to take care of your grow bed, please let us know. There are people currently waiting for a space, so it is very helpful for us to know when a bed becomes available. The upkeep of beds is monitored, and beds that have not been cultivated for an entire season will be reallocated.
- Kids are welcome and encouraged at the grow beds, but not without supervision.
- No harmful chemicals. We should all try to do our best to grow our fruit and vegetables organically. If you are struggling with a particular pest, reach out for help.
- Please avoid planting anything invasive, oversized, or difficult to control This includes plants that spread aggressively, take up excessive space, block light to neighbouring beds, or may become difficult to remove.
- Invasive plants such as mint, planted directly in the bed, bamboo, or anything that spreads aggressively by roots
- Thorny plants such as brambles or large thorny roses
- Toxic or harmful plants, especially if children are around and the space is meant for food growing
- Trees or large shrubs, because they become permanent
- Anything illegal to grow, of course.